There is always the safe way of doing things when decorating your home and there is nothing wrong with a classic or traditional look.  Plenty of designers and home decor gurus who preach on tried and true classical pieces.  But some of us like to think a little outside the box with our home environment.  

Maybe we like to do things differently in general… maybe we like a little spark of the unusual… perhaps we dare to allow ourselves to be playful.   Well, for those that lean toward a bit of creative whimsy, this article is for you.  Take a look at some of these out-of-the-box design ideas and be inspired!

Unique Shaped Furniture

This is a real step in going against the norm and definitely for non-traditionalists.  If you are really adventurous, you can put a strange piece of furniture anywhere in your house but you must be willing to live with the piece.  Almost all one-of-a-kind designs and artisan made pieces are on the pricey side. 

Tables are a great place to start.  You can make a statement with a dining table crafted out of a tree stump or a coffee table made from an antique drum.  Strange and unusual tables can be found from artists and specialty stores online or you may just get lucky at an antique dealer. 

We have seen some marvelously fascinating tables in all shapes and colors, some that appear to be melting and others in the most bizarre shapes ( with “human” legs for example)! One completely off the wall idea is to have a “living” table with the top transformed into a plant bed with live grass.  The concept behind this design was to replicate the feel of a picnic.  How unique!

Another great place to exhibit your “wild” side is the bedroom.   Why not go to sleep in a dream-worthy land each night and wake up to inspiration.  We’re talking beds that resemble fairy-tale forests, with each post in the shape of a realistic tree!  Or how about a hammock bed?  

Certain designers have taken the hammock design to a new level with added comfort and on a larger scale.  This is great for that soothing feeling of weightlessness and the comfort of gentle rocking.  And to get even funkier, there are beds out there in a plethora of crazy shapes from coffins to canoes.

In this category, the sky is truly the limit.  It really depends on how far you’re willing to push the design limits and what statement you are desiring to make.  Some furniture out there is more a work of art or meant for shock value.  

How about a chair made to look like it was fashioned out of raw meat, or a coat hanger made of plastic doll limbs?  To each his own!  If you want your house to be full of conversation, take a chance with one of these ideas!


Vintage Restoration

This is a great way to go for the do-it-yourselfer or the bargain hunter with an eye for good bones.  If you already own an older quality piece of furniture such as a chair or couch, you can have it reupholstered with unique or funky fabric and bring it back to life.  Generally reupholstering will cost the same if not more than buying new furniture.  

However, with a very high-quality piece that has stood the test of time, it can be worth it.  The main benefit here is customizability.   You can create a look entirely your own with fabric and colors that cannot be found in ready made furniture.  If you want to make a statement piece out of an old chair, choose bright colors and unique patterns.

For non-fabric furniture such as dressers, tables and armoires, a good sanding and new paint job can do wonders.  Here is where the smart, thrifty shopper can really save some bucks.  There are many ways to acquire used furniture at extreme discount.  

If you have the time, check out thrift stores, resale shops, and estate sales for some good finds.  Then do a little bit of research or youtube surfing and enjoy your project.  There are some fantastic whimsical paint ideas out there and many are quite easy to do.

Home design trends, like clothing fashion, change quite frequently.  Many times there are simple updates you can make to keep your home looking fresh and modern.  Here we will give you advice on current styles as well as common mistakes to avoid when updating your home.  Use the following list as your guide and you are sure to impress friends and family with your latest updates.

HOT:

Blue, blue and more blue!  Not only is the color blue hot on the runways this year, it’s hugely popular in home decor and design. Using shades of blue is definitely one of the most noteworthy trends of 2014.  We are seeing every color and pairing of blue from turquoise to azure and anything in between.  You don’t even need to worry about mixing and matching different shades of blue within one room.  In fact, the most exciting way to update with blue this year seems to be combining a myriad of different shades.  This can be done with wall color, furniture, pillows, any number of accent pieces or all of the above.  This is essentially the easiest and most foolproof way to add a fresh update to your home.

NOT HOT:

Overly matching furniture, accent pieces and patterns is out!  We are way past the 1950’s, my friends.  In our modern era, we know that perfection is not only unattainable, but the appearance of perfection is quite uninviting.  A room with different yet complementary colors, patterns and textures has character and warmth.  We are moving further and further away from the days of formal sitting rooms that shout “Don’t touch!” and “Keep out!”  We want our family and guests to feel welcome in our homes and to also get a sense of who we are based on personal style.   

We could label this a move toward a more eclectic design sense.  But really, over-matching (more than one couch in the same color, two of everything, and repeated colors and fabrics) has been a thing of the past for a long time.  Show your personal style in your home. Mix and match varying yet complementary tones, textures and patterns.  The key is knowing the difference between “matching” and “coordinating.” 

HOT:

Ethnic prints and accent pieces are way in this year.  Varying prints inspired by exotic locals and fair-trade decor items add character and conversation starters to any room.  This is also a fantastic way to showcase your travel souvenirs.  This trend was born through the ever-growing importance of travel for our younger generations and also the uniting fair trade movement to help third world indigenous people.  Bright, bold prints especially on pillows and rugs give rooms a well-traveled, bohemian vibe.  This is a fun way to bring plain colored couches to life and draw the eye away from boring vanilla walls.  We encourage you to buy fair trade items as much as possible.  Not only will you be adding a significant update to your home, but you will also be doing your part to help those in need. 

NOT HOT:

Keeping furniture against walls may seem like the best way to arrange a room, but this is one of the most common mistakes you can make.  A room needs to have a sense of intimacy and proper flow.  This means that couches, chairs or tables (any main pieces of furniture) should be the central point of a room, inviting guests to sit or dine.  

The space between furniture and walls should vary according to the size of the room.  If the room is quite large, any furniture butted up against walls will be easily dwarfed by the space.  You don’t want your guests to be sitting and staring out at a big empty space, you want them to feel like they are gathered together sharing in an intimate environment.  You want your family and your guests to be the center of any room.  So when you are arranging furniture in your house, think about what would inspire comfort and intimacy.


HOT:

Natural and outdoor elements brought indoors.  This is one of the bolder trends for 2014 but we are confident that it will continue into 2015 and possibly beyond.  There are varying extremes of this concept from actually incorporating live plants, rocks, and branches into design elements to furniture and decor in nature inspired shapes.  The idea is to create the serene feeling of being in a garden or forest. 

Planning a home remodel can be a daunting task.  Whether you are remodeling a bathroom or undertaking a complete home makeover, it’s important to be up to date on the latest styles and innovations.  

Every year there are at least a few new and unexpected trends in home remodeling and interior design.

In this article we will break down the top ideas for 2014, some brand new and some which have been going strong for years but still bear mentioning due to relevance.  Read on for some exciting ideas to keep your home fresh!


1.  Going Green:  Of course this is not exactly a new trend but with each year manufacturers and builders are going increasingly more green.  Sustainability has become an assumption in the home remodeling industry instead of an option.  This is definitely something to keep in mind when hiring companies to work on your home.  It never hurts to ask about their policies and sourcing  so you can rest assured you are doing the best you can to reduce your carbon footprint. Some examples of green thinking include the following:

Composite decking is made from a combination of wood waste and recycled plastic.  This option makes for outdoor patios and decks that are green, durable and beautiful.

Paper-based countertops in kitchens and bathrooms are a great alternative to stone and plastic.  They are made from tree pulp and are highly durable.

The use of lumber from certified sustainable forests.  Do your homework and find plywood that is certified by the FSC ( the Forest Stewardship Council).

Bamboo plywood and soy concrete stain.  Both bamboo and soy are easily grown and rapidly renewable resources.

These are just a few green concepts.  You can easily find more ideas and companies that take a responsible environmental stance, by simply doing some research online.

2.  Urban Downsizing is also a continued trend in 2014.  People, especially the younger working generations, prefer smaller living spaces closer to downtowns rather than larger homes in the suburbs.  People prefer avoiding long commutes and the younger generations spend less time at home.  Many also prefer to spend their money on travel rather than investing in larger homes.  Retiring adults are also hopping on board with this trend to conserve financially.


3.  Aesthetically speaking, bright, bold colors are a hot trend for 2014.  This was a big thing last year as well, however, this year’s colors are even more of a statement.  Designers are showcasing extra vivid accent walls in colors such as tangerine, lime green, hot pink, and vibrant red.  Accent walls are a relatively cheap and low commitment way to add some pizazz to a dull room or showcase certain favorite pieces of furniture.  Designers are also continuing the bright color trend down to the flooring.  Perhaps this goes hand-in-hand with urban downsizing?  With smaller living spaces, a bright pop of color can add that touch of personality needed to make a small space your own.


4.  On the opposite end of the extreme bright accent wall is a new trend toward black accent walls. That’s right!  Something new for this year is the use of glamorous black or darkly hued walls to add depth, drama and glamour.  Could this possibly be a result of recent years fascination with vampires and the macabre? 

Wherever it started, this certainly must be done right for those bold enough to try it.  Black walls generally works best with metallic wall decor or gleaming chandeliers.  If you have a few bright, glittering pieces of decor and the right attitude, go for it.


5.  Curbless showers and stand-alone tubs are both popular bathroom remodeling trends this year.  The stand alone tub is visually appealing and space saving at the same time, while the curbless shower gives the illusion of a more open area.  Both concepts lend an air of resort style luxury for those looking to improve upon the bathing experience.  

However, make sure you do your homework and consult with a company who has experience with the curbless showers.  If done incorrectly, you may end up with leaks. If you are currently in the market for a shower remodel, one of our shower remodeling contractors can assist you.


6.  Tech-savvy U-sockets.  This is one of the newest and hottest trends for 2014.  The modern family, bachelor, single lady, and kiddo all have one thing in common:  we need our gadgets and we need them to be charged up and ready to go.  The U-socket is an outlet with the addition of two built in USB ports.

This says a lot about how much our technology has changed.  While the U-socket is a brand new design concept for 2014, they are sure to one day be a common accoutrement in any home.  Soon to be gone are the days of the old socket outlet.